Trends And Developments

The Cayman Islands has developed a framework for the enforcement of foreign judgments, including arbitral awards, which has long been recognised as friendly to those wishing to enforce judgments or awards against assets, or entities, located within the jurisdiction. This is often attributed to the desire to advance the Cayman Islands' reputation as a creditor friendly financial services centre. However, as much as the available procedural mechanisms can facilitate easy enforcement in the Cayman Islands, the process is not always straightforward, particularly when the judgment debtor is unwilling (or unable) to satisfy its obligations as prescribed by the judgment or award.

After summarising the existing procedural frame work for the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, this article, with reference to recent judgments from the Cayman Islands Grand Court (Grand Court), highlights challenges that might be faced by an applicant in enforce ment